Céad míle Malta - the duo leading Harps' hot streak

Horgan rarely switches off and is perhaps the most-travelled manager in the League of Ireland.

In Malta last year, Horgan spotted Jacob Borg, who became a key figure as the Donegal side won promotion back to the Premier Division at the first attempt.

With the help of Borg, Horgan was able to convince Harry Ascroft to join at the start of 2019.

In recent weeks, Harps have hit form at just the right time, claiming 13 points from a possible 18 since the mid-season break.

"We knew where we were at and where we needed to improve on," Ascroft says.

"We came back after the break fired up and ready to give it a crack."

The first half of Ascroft's season was a write-off due to an injury that looked at one stage as if it would spell the end of his time in Ballybofey.

Now, though, he has something of a cult status down Navenney Street.

Ascroft has netted in 1-0 wins over Derry City and Bohemians in the last two outings as Harps moved six points clear of the automatic relegation place.

"It was very frustrating for me at the start of the season," Ascroft says.

"I won't lie, it wasn't easy being far away from home and not being able to play when I was injured for a long while. I'm happy to be back helping the team out now."

Home for Ascroft is Sydney and he was capped at U-20 level for Australia in 2014.

Via spells at VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands and Central Coast Mariners, in Australia, Ascroft rocked up at Balzan.

Borg has taken the scenic route to Ballybofey, too.

Six years ago this month, the Australian-born Borg played for Malta, the homeland of his father, in a 3-0 friendly defeat against Azerbaijan in Baku.

His youth career dotted him from North Queesland Fury to Blackburn Rovers. Homesickness led to him turning down a contract offer from Macclesfield Town

Borg made an instant impact at Harps and was among the mid-season recruits to spearhead a return to the top flight. He was courted by other Premier Division clubs, but he stuck with Harps.

"I feel that I am part of a family," he said after signing a new one-year deal.

"The players that Ollie brought in were a good bunch of boys and we connect well as a team. I liked what Ollie was offering in terms of where he wanted to take the club."

His budget and facilities are dwarfed by his Premier Division peers, but Horgan has been astute in his transfer dealings.

Away from football, Horgan works as a maths teacher at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny and he is a trained pianist. Attention to detail is one of his strengths.

"We are very disciplined and we keep our shape," Ascroft adds.

"It's all about the points. We have a little bit of breathing space, but we're just taking each game as it comes."

Harps break from league action as they go to Shamrock Rovers for an FAI Cup tie on Friday night. And many of Horgan's squad are hoping to use their time in Donegal as a leg up in the game.

"I wanted to play in the top flight and I just want to keep playing now to see where that takes me," Ascroft says.

"It's definitely a lot more physical than I thought in Ireland. There are a lot of talented players, but the physicality stands out.

"Being close to England was a big factor in coming here. People are always watching. I'm happy here for now, but you don't know what's around the corner."